Body oblong, moderately compressed, and somewhat deep (depth contained 2.5 to 2.7 times in standard length); mouth small and terminal, its posterior end located at the same level as the anterior rim of the eye; first gill arch with 18 to 23 gill rakers; dorsal fin deeply notched, with 12 to 14 spines and 13 to 14 soft rays (XII-IV, 13-14); dorsal and anal fins with a scaly sheath, the soft portions with international scales; second anal spine much stronger and longer than third; back dark brown or gray; belly silvery; back and flanks with 4 or 5 indistinct, dark, transverse bars (sometimes absent); operculum sometimes with a small, dark spot (Ref. 55763).